Growing, continuing to improve, seeking comparison with the strongest: these are the goals of every athlete, not just ambitions but real opportunities to mature. Sardinian swimming is well aware of all this and, after a first part of the season where solid results were not lacking, it is ready to face the second part of the year with the awareness of those who have an important job behind them that they can count on . A work resulting from the synergy between the clubs, the technicians, the athletes, the referees and the regional committee led by Danilo Russu since November 2017: a life in the tank that of Russu, 51 years old, who takes stock of the situation on a movement where talented young people are not lacking as well as prestigious events that will have the island as a backdrop. Above all, the World Cup in open water on 20 and 21 May in Golfo Aranci.

Russu, let's start with the Absolute Spring Tricolors in Riccione in the long tank. What balance can be drawn?

«Definitely positive, Sardinia has achieved excellent results, among which the Italian title on the 5 km cross-country by Marcello Guidi stands out, but there is also the absolute Sardinian record in the 4x100 medley by the Esperia girls and the by Anna Conti who is carving out a leading role on a national level. Positive signals have also come from Samuele Congia who is now training outside the island and this experience will undoubtedly be important for his future».

Positive results despite some difficulties that athletes have been dealing with for some time.

«Exactly, unfortunately unlike the other regions we don't have the opportunity to train in the 50m pool and this is a big problem. The lack of facilities has always been a real scourge for our movement which often forces athletes to leave Sardinia to look for valid alternatives. However, let's try to be confident with the hope that the situation will change soon ».

First you nominated Anna Conti: what are her strengths?

«Surely the completeness, Anna is a girl who manages to express herself well in all styles and the seventh place in the final A of the 200 medley at the absolute spring Tricolors in long course, complete with the absolute regional record, is the full demonstration. The qualitative leap made in recent months is the result of a journey that began many years ago which is finally showing its great potential. Then, surely, a special mention deserves his coach Ilario Ierace who, in addition to being a coach of great experience, has a truly incredible passion: I hope that young people have even only half his love for swimming because he is an element capable to make a difference".